May 17th Rides!

[Crankin]

I did 30 miles with 2300 feet of climbing. The weather was perfect. 75 degrees and sunny, although the wind was a bit strong in the beginning. Funny, this used to be my most challenging local ride (Groton/Dunstable from Littleton, including Lost Lake). Since moving to my hilly street, my perception has changed. Afterwards we went to Kimball Farms in Carlisle, where I had a raspberry frozen yogurt with chocolate chips in it.
Tomorrow we are doing a metric. I haven't ridden more than 52 miles since September 2006. I haven't really trained for this, but it's pretty flat and I find that the kind of hill riding I do pretty much allows me to go the distance as long as I moderate my speed a bit.

[kelownagirl]

Wow, congrats on everyone who did metrics and centuries this weekend!

I have my first metric of the season next weekend. DH wants to hammer it so it may not be a fun as it could be.

[OakLeaf]

See the thread about wind...

[Zen]

Fredwina- I just re-read your post.
You always have photos. I like that. Not just for me but because I think it says you aren't all about the miles and speed but you appreciate the scenery too.

Isn't it kind of early for wildfires?

[Mr. Bloom]

80.41 miles at 15.9mph

Wind from the west was fierce! Would have gone for a century, but I had to get my haircut.

I just crossed 800 miles for '08. I'll be over 1,000 miles by this time next week!

[Zen]

80.41 miles at 15.9mph
!

Mr. Silver, unlike Fredwina, never stops for photos.
It's like Goofus and Gallant

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. Silver, unlike Fredwina, never stops for photos.
It's like Goofus and Gallant

I have to keep up with Silver!

But, I did post some pictures in last Saturday's report...

Remember, riding in Southern Indiana is the Tour de Corn & Coal!

It was very pretty yesterday though...the tall grasses were blowing in the (wicked) wind, the goldenrod hasn't been plowed out of the corn fields yet, everything is lush green...

[IFjane]

The 21st annual Tour de Madison. 250 riders. Sunny, not a cloud in the sky, breezy & about 75 degrees. Perfect.

My little group chose the 40 mile loop. That distance was not quite long enough so we added 5 miles. Avg. 15 mph. As Mr. Silver said, everything is lush green & beautiful. See for yourselves:

http://www.berrysports.com/slideshow...de-madison-08/

I am in slides #5 & 27. In #27 you can just barely see me to the ahead and a little to the left of the green "mad cyclists" jersey.

[Fredwina]

Fredwina- I just re-read your post.
You always have photos. I like that. Not just for me but because I think it says you aren't all about the miles and speed but you appreciate the scenery too.

Isn't it kind of early for wildfires?

Yes, it is.
With all rain we had in Jan and Fed, a lot of exotic plants grew, It hasn't rained since Eary march.....

[makbike]

The day started early, 7 a.m. The club hosted a ride from Louisville to Mammoth Cave and though I knew it would be challenging never could I have anticipated the major challenge which awaited the 37 riders who headed south.

It was a chilly start (50 F) and cloudy skies. A quick pace was set and the big group quickly split into several smaller groups. We followed the first part of the Old Kentucky Home Tour making our way up Lilly Pike and into the tiny town of Bloomfield. We then headed to Bardstown where we were greeted with some sunshine - jackets and arm/leg warmers began to come off.

Next stop was New Haven for a quick lunch and by this time it was very evident the winds were picking up and we would be facing a strong head wind for the duration. We continued on to Hodgenville (Birth place of Abe Lincoln) and on to Mundfordville. The winds were even stronger by the time we hit the 100 mile mark on our journey. We continued on to Horse Cave for a stop at the Dairy Queen. There were lots of tired faces the wind was even stronger - estimated to be close to 30 mph. It did not appear anyone was very eager to leave the Dairy Queen but we had yet to make our destination so back on bikes and we continued to pedal. At times the wind was unbelievably strong and riders were struggling to make their way up the hills we had to climb to make it to Mammoth Cave. At last we found ourselves in the tranquil setting of Mammoth Cave National Park and 37 exhausted by happy riders pulled up to the hotel where we had reserved a block of rooms.

A small party quickly developed on the lawn outside our rooms. Lots of laughing, teasing and happy faces were to be found amongst the group. A tasty dinner in the dining room and riders made their ways to their rooms for some well deserved shut eye. Alarms would ring early Sunday for the return trip!

In the end we logged 119.63 miles and fought some formidable winds. We passed through some absolutely beautiful countryside and enjoyed some great laughs and shared some strong words of encouragement. In the end it was a good day to be on a bike.

[Harley]

Saturday the temp. was heading for 95, so I got out at 8:30am for a ride from Winthrop to Mazama. No wind and a beautiful morning, not much traffic as the North Cascade Highway is closed due to high avalanche danger/slides.

I wanted to push myself and up my cadence and speed... I finally got my cadence to average 75 (I've been stuck in the 60's) Average speed 13.7mph for the 25 mile ride. Plus I only stopped twice! I really feel I've turned a corner on progress, best part is I didn't hurt at the end of the ride. Starting to feel I'm getting stronger, though I'm still slow on the uphills, but LOVE the downhills

Reading the forum posts has really inspired me to get out and put more into my rides... you ladies (and gents) are awesome. Thanks!

[chicago]

little late in posting this, but what the heck...

87 miles on Saturday, beautiful day in Chicago. My longest ride for 2008 (until this weekend that is, until I do 150 at Horsey!!)

[bluebug32]

I ended up doing nearly 30 miles with 2100ft. of climbing. We climbed up a nearby ridge and then enjoyed the sweet downhill. 38mph....a new record for me!